By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports
“It is super, duper fun!” exclaimed James Low, 11, who has been with the programme almost from the day it started. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
Every Saturday afternoon, James Low gets hyped up for 90 minutes of running fun in the sun.
The 11-year-old is part of the Satellite Centre for Sports Development (SCSD) organised by the Singapore Athletic Association (SAA). The SCSD, which is endorsed by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC), started in October 2008 and provides structured training for children between the ages of seven and 16.
Held at ITE College East, it caters specifically to youths, honing their agility and endurance while giving them an outlet to have fun on the weekend.
Currently, there are two training centres, one each in Republic Polytechnic and ITE College East, with a third in the works at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
“It is super, duper fun!” declared James, who has Choir as a Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) at St. Andrew’s Junior School. “I really like the speed drills and also the game at the end. The coach will change the rules to make it more exciting for us.”
“I want to continue for as long as I can and just have fun every week to become faster in my running,” added James who has been with the programme almost from the day it started.
A typical one-and-a-half hour training starts with a warm-up before the experienced coaches introduce drills to enhance basic athletic ability. A modified game of captain’s ball during the last half hour rounds up the session.
For James’ father, Albert Low, he has repeatedly sent his son for the trainings to help him develop physically while allowing him to have fun.
“He has fun and that is the most important thing,” said Mr Low. “The children gel and bond very well with each other. The coaches are approachable and friendly too. This program is endorsed by the SSC so there’s the quality there.”
“Doing athletics helps him train for other sports too. It builds his core muscles and he excels at other sports.”
Youths are separated into two groups with the younger group, aged 7 to 12 years old, introduced to running, throwing and jumping in a fun environment. The older youths aged 13 to 16 concentrate on more specific events and training is tailor-made to achieve their goals like improving their event timings or getting ready for competition.
The age groupings are not rigid as well, with those showing greater potential moving up to the higher level.
Coach Thanga, who is in charge of the older youths, said: “The youths set their own goals and I will plan a program specifically for them. Overall, we do a general endurance and agility training but we help them achieve their own goals.”
Joe Goh, manager of the SCSD, said: “This program provides youths with an arena to train in. They may not be good enough for their school team, but they still want to participate in the sport. It encourages a healthy lifestyle and an active start for the youths.”
“Since the programme started in 2008, some have stayed throughout while others did not see the value of this because they want instant results. However, we train basic skills that is needed for most sports – running, jumping and throwing.”
“We don’t want hard training because for kids, it is hard to get them motivated so we have to use fun as their motivation. At the end of the session, if they are smiling, we know it is a good session,” added Joe.
Satellite Centre for Sports Development (SCSD)
Location: ITE College East
Time: 4-5.30pm
Cost: $130 for 10 sessions
Contact person: Joe Goh (94593331)
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